Chicago Cubs DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Owen Caissie went 3-for-6 on Sunday for Triple-A Iowa. All three hits were singles, and the left-handed hitter scored twice in the contest as well. The effort marked his third multi-hit performance in his last four games, going 7-for-18 (.388) over that stretch and pushing his season slash line to .247/.349/.479. Chicago's outfield remains crowded, so there currently is no path to playing time for the team's third-ranked prospect, but he's sure to make a debut at some point this season. Managers in NL-only leagues should consider stashing him ahead of his eventual call-up, as he brings plenty of power and would be hitting in the top offensive lineup in baseball whenever he gets that chance.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki continued his hot stretch at the plate during Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. Suzuki has been crushing the Reds in this series and that continued on Sunday. He went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double, home run, and three RBI in the win. Suzuki finished this series with seven hits, two homers and six RBI in three games. He has been one of the primary contributors in this lineup and is one of the better fantasy options right now.

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Daniel Palencia was asked to come on in the ninth inning with a three-run lead on Sunday. Palencia had an ugly outing against the Miami Marlins earlier in the week, but has looked better on the mound since then. On Sunday, Palencia tossed a scoreless ninth inning to earn his second save of the season. The right-hander has been mostly solid this season with a 2.04 ERA in 16 appearances. It looks like Palencia is going to be the primary closer in Chicago right now. The Cubs don't have a ton of options with Ryan Pressly struggling and Porter Hodge (oblique) sidelined right now. Palencia is worth a look for fantasy managers seeking bullpen help.

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch will take a seat on Sunday, facing Cincinnati Reds left-handed pitcher Nick Lodolo. Through the opening two months of the season, Busch has made just two starts against left-handed pitching. As a result, the veteran Justin Turner will cover first base and is slated to bat in the seven-hole. Over his last 13 contests, Busch has posted a solid .256/.360/.419 slash line with four doubles, one home run, and five RBI. During this stretch, Busch swiped one bag and held a 12:5 K:BB. Through 49 contests this season, the 27-year-old has held a .252/.351/.460 line with seven long balls and three stolen bases. Fantasy managers should expect Busch to remain out of the starting nine on Monday as the Cubs are slated to face Colorado left-hander Carson Palmquist.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that catcher Miguel Amaya (oblique) will land on the 10-day injured list with a strained left oblique and will get imaging done in Chicago this week. In a corresponding move, the Cubs recalled catch Reese McGuire from Triple-A Iowa, and he's in the starting lineup on Sunday while hitting ninth against Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo with Carson Kelly (illness) out sick. Amaya was injured in Saturday's 6-4 loss and might not be able to return from the IL when he's eligible on June 4. Kelly is going to see the lion's share of the playing time behind the dish in Chicago until Amaya is ready to return. The 26-year-old Amaya hasn't displayed a ton of power (only four homers), but he's been valuable in fantasy leagues at the weak catching position with a .286 average (26-for-91) with 25 RBI and 14 runs scored.